MP sewer fees are going up during the next six years

Jul 27, 2017

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News

City officials are learning that sewer repairs are very costly.

That means some of that cost is going to be passed along to consumers.

Mt. Pleasant City Council members during Wednesday’s regular meeting passed the first reading of an ordinance, increasing sewer fees by 30 cents each year until the final increase effective July 1, 2023.

“We have to increase the rate for plant repairs and upgrading the plant,” said City Administrator Brent Schleisman. “Now that we know the final expenses, we have no choice but to raise revenue to pay for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) mandates.”

Schleisman said that when it is all said and done, the city will have spent between $9M and $10M on the necessary repairs and upgrades.

The charge per 1,000 gallons effective this past July 1 was $5.30 per 1,000 gallons used. With a 30-cent per 1,000 gallon increase each year, the fee on July 1, 2023, will be $7.10 per 1,000 gallons used.

City officials said the 30-cent annual increase translates into about a $6 per month increase for a family of two and about $9-$12 monthly for a family of four.

“The city is going to have to borrow $5.1M for repairs and sewer revenue will help pay for the amount borrowed,” noted Mayor Steve Brimhall. “It is something that about every city in Iowa is going to have to do (make repairs and upgrades to sanitary sewer systems).”

In another monetary matter, the council approved an engineering services agreement with Warner Engineering Associates of Mt. Pleasant for the Iris Street recreational trail. The city is hoping to receive a grant for the trail, which will connect the trail from Ashford Park to the Iris Street trail at East Washington Street.

Warner Engineering will be paid $80,000 for its services.

Schleisman said the city is hoping to “move the project up to next year or the year after. It is going to happen in 2018, 2019 or 2020.”

Council members also approved a request giving the contractor an extension until Aug. 31 to complete the Baker Street reconstruction project. Schleisman said the contractor made the request because it has been too hot and dry to seed the right of way.

Final action saw the council set a public hearing for Wednesday, Aug. 9, at 5:30 p.m. for the sale of a city-owned lot at 401 S. Jefferson St.

The city had a house razed at the property several years ago and a resident has expressed interest in purchasing the lot.

Council members meet again in regular session Wednesday, Aug. 9, at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 307 E. Monroe St.